Publication:

Does copper deficiency predispose children to otitis media with effusion?

Background Both otitis media with effusion (OME) and copper or selenium have been associated to the immune system, hence it could be proposed that cooper and/or selenium deficiency predisposes children to OME through immune cells dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of Copper and Selenium in an immundeficient-linked disease - OME – in childhood.

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2015 and December 2016 including 80 patients age 1 to 8 years old who were divided into two groups: otitis media with effusion (OME) consisted of 40 patients and the control (n=40). Patients who did not recover after three months conservative treatments were included. Serum levels of Copper and Selenium were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results Statistical analysis showed no significant differences regarding age and sex were noted between groups. Patients with OME had significantly lower serum copper levels than the control group (p=0.007). However, there was no statistically significant difference in serum selenium levels between groups. The analysis also showed a significant positive correlation between serum copper level and age (correlation coefficient=0.348, p=0.028), whereas, there was no correlation between the measured selenium level and age.

Conclusions The results of the present study showed that serum level of copper might play a role on development of otitis media with effusion in childhood.